EXPECTATIONS - DESIGN FOR MANUFACTURABILITY

Automobile manufacturers have drastically reduced their numbers of sup pliers in an effort to curb costs and increase competitiveness in toda y's world marketplace. This strategy has placed increasing pressure on second- and third-tier automotive suppliers. The result is that the e ntire supplier pool is competing for a smaller number of large parts a nd components orders. Added to this increased pressure are more rigid quality specifications and expectations on the part of automobile manu facturers.